Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-07-30
A DARING LOVER.
H. VICTOR srALEY.

among the foothills several mining towns
had sprung up. but for the most part their
surroundings was a wilderness Of natural
wonders, uneZplored canyons, through
which the roaring waters rushed In their
headlong flight; mammoth caverns with
labyrinthian passages, where bands of out
laws had their strongholds, from whence
they sailed forth at intervals to prey upon
the inhabitants. One Of the most dreaded
Of these laWless commands was led by a
cruel, Yindictlye rufian who gloried IN the
application Of Outlaw Bill" So many
were the atrocious deeds he had com
mitted that the miners regarded him as q
hend incarnats. AS to his courage there
could be no question: and many reckless
miner had covered beneath a glance from
his flashing eyes.
One Of these camps, which had suffered
most from his raids, was Gold Gulch; and
many times had those rough men vowed
vengeance upon the outlaw chief and his
murderous followers, but IN vain.
One day the monotOnous routine OF this
usually quiet mining-eamP was broken,
and great uproar prevailed over the ar
rival OF a stranger. He was an elderly
gentleman neatly dressed and OF refined
appearance. That he came from the East
WAS all that could be learned concerning
him He brought with him his daughter,
q beautiful, ViVacious maiden who soon
won the hearts OF those honest miners with
4aE pleasant Smile anu AALAg -4AEC NCFDA--
ment; and there was not one Of those
usually rough and ribald men who would
not refrain from all cOarseness N her
presence. All were ready, at any moment
TO grant favor, and would to man have
resented any insult offered her; while their
were none but would have willingly laid
down their lives TO protect her from injury.
The old gentleman gave his name as
Alfred Otstone, and his daughters name
was Plesna.
He at once stazed out claim some dis
lance from the village, and building cabin
went earnestly to work. Whether he was
successful or not no one knew as he went
to the village but Seldom and then had but
little 10 say 10 his fellow minsrss but, az
he worked energehcally, day after day,
It became rumored that he was laying up
An immense amount OF precious dust
About this time another arrival occurred.
A young man about tweny-seven OF
tWsnty-eight years Of age He was
dressed in the height Of fashion Com
ing right from the haunts of civilization,
he had not as YET discarded the
geWgaWs Of society for the rough
trappings characteristic of the miner. He
was finely formed, athletic and muscular,
lark compleXioned, with a bright piercing
eve, the flash of which was indicative of a
dashing, courageous spirit, while in his
manly countenance could be read stern
resolve, indomitable pluck, and great per-
severance
The miners admired these qualities in
their latest acquisition, yet his danditied
manner had preiudiced them against him;
and upon giving his name as Joseph Early,
they Immediately dubbed him DANDY
joe"
He paid no attention to their ridicule,
however, but, taking a claim near Alfred
Otsone's, settled down to honest toll. His
cheerful disposition, beaming countenance,
and occasional acts Of bravery soon won
for him the esteem and goodwill Of those
who were wont to ridiculs, but the nick
name they had given him on his arrival
still chung 10 him; and the appellation by
which be was known in civilized life
seemed in fair way of being replaced by
the sobriquet Of the mining camp.
Often the miners would Joke him about
laying out his claim adjoining old Alfred
Otsone's, limiting that he had done so thst
he might be near to charming Miss Pleena.
However that was, he soon became q well
come visitor at Otsone's cabin. Fortune
favored the young man. His claim proved
a rich find, and, as he was free from the
usual vices OF the ordinary miner, his pile
of glittering dust continued TO accumulate
with surprising rapidity.
In the village was q low, roughly con-
stIuctsd shanty which was used princi-
pally for gambling purposes, and here
most of the miners cOngregated-
One evening Dandy Joe" stood watch
ing the exciting game which was then in
full blast. when IN rushed Giant Jake, a
fellow miner and particular friend, sc
named from his massive build and great
strength Of arm.
my God, boys he exclaimed, thar ar
bin devilish work at old Otsone's shanty
this mite
aWhat is this you say? Speak; what do
you mean2" cried Dandy joe"
Look thar, and the miner pointed TO
the door.
Turning, Dandy Joe" beheld two miners
enter the shanty, bearing the unconscious
form Of old Alfred Otsone.
His head was cut and bruised in Q
terrible manner, while his face was covered
with blood, presenting TO the onlooksrs q
CHASTITY spectacle but one to which all had
become accustomed by their long life in
those localities, where such sights were Of
daily occurrence.
1t was some time before the old man
opened his eyes and revived sufficiently
10 relate the events which led to his condi-
ton. When, however, he was able 10
speak intelligently, this was the tale he
unfolded TO his hearers: A band OF
lawless rufians had appeared and
demanded his gold He refused
10 show them its hiding-place,
VIXEN enc OF the cOWarilY villains struck
him a blow on the head, knocking him
down. where he lay as one dead. Think
ing they had killed him, they left him;
and, after a fruitless search, decamped,
taking with them his daughter, while he
crawled with great difficulty TO the camp of
the miners.
aOutlaw Bill, said Giant jake when
the wounded man had concluded.
Boys" All eyes were turned toward
Dandy Joe, who had mounted q bench,
while his rough-yisaged companions
quickly gathered around as they noted the
ominous flashing OF his dark eyes. Must
We znbu1ft 10 fhf19 Shall fbfa fanF ba al
lowed to continue in his hellish work.
Shall We not have revenge?"
sRevengel reyengei" echoed the miners,
whose numbers now filed the building.
@Then, look you,- continued Dandy
aJoe. 81 shall make 10 you proposition. It
would be useless, not knowing where their
stronghold lies, TO attempt an expedition
against them, as you have already done on
more than one occasion without success
for they would be warned OF our approach,
and should We discover their retreat IL
would no doubt be deserted ere We could
attack them"
THAT is so, replied "Giant Jake"
Il am determined" confined the speaker,
shat Outlaw Bill shall be vanquishec
and Pleena Otsone rescued from La
clutches. propose to 60 alone IN search
OF this monster, and when / have found
his retreat VIII return and together we
VIII break M this laWlass h~-'a %
4Nos you must not 90 alone, DANDY Joe, "
replied a number Of voices.
Who among You viii volunteer to ac-
company me IN this dangerous undertak-
ing7n
u, I, II shouted the miners in chorus.
II viii take but one. replied, Dandy ] oe, "
and as you are all willing, I Will select
Giant Jake as my companion know
you VIII all join in wishing US success
@Ws do We do, yelled the miners
how a|HH HNaarHa